Losses that ended an era

[74_75_78_79_]

You could probably extend the Steeler era to the latter part of the 1985 season. After all, they made the playoffs in both '83 and '84, including the conference title game in '84. Then in 1985, they had a one-game lead over the Browns after Week 11, but then lost four of their last five games when their defense collapsed--allowing an average of just over 33 points per game--which included a 54-44 shootout in SD. They then floundered for much of the next three years, hitting rock bottom in '88 with a 5-11 mark.

I was referring to their Era of winning SBs, being seen as 'the team to beat'. As I already pretty much opined, the 'last-hurrah' of that was as early as their 4-1 start in '80 or as late as their 2-0 start two years later, more so the former. Of course I never, even at the time as a 12-year-old, failed to see through that 'mirage' of a 9-2 start in '83. As for 'good' Steeler football under Noll, a 'last-hurrah' can stretch as far as the remarkable 3-game win-streak going into the infamous Cody Carlson finale '90.

[CSKreager]

One could say the Raiders' long run of greatness back in the day ended with that 1985 divisional playoff loss to New England with the turnovers and Fulton Walker's disastrous fumble.

But of course there's the Philly game in '86 where the Raiders (from 0-3 to 8-4) were on the verge of getting to 9-4.

Then Marcus Allen fumbles, Andre Waters goes the other way, and the Raiders were never really the same until Art Shell became coach in '89.

From 1966-1985, outside of that 7-9 '81 season, they almost matched Dallas' 20 straight winning seasons (Had 21 of 22 seasons without a losing record. After those Patriot/Eagle games, they didn't become consistent again for a while.

[7DnBrnc53]

That said, maybe '82 is the Dynasty's 'last-hurrah'. Enough of those holdovers still onboard as you said, 7Dn, and starting things off by beating Dallas (at Dallas) and then Cincy! Looking real SB-caliber again! And then came...

That would work for me because they were true contenders for the crown, and they could have had their fifth title within five years of their fourth.

They also could have had that in 1984, and that still counts to some degree, but that Steeler team never had a chance. Heck, I couldn't believe that they beat the Raiders and got into the playoffs.

[Todd Pence]

The 1977 double overtime loss to the Raiders forever ended the Colts' era of respectability in Baltimore.

[BD Sullivan]

The 1977 double overtime loss to the Raiders forever ended the Colts' era of respectability in Baltimore.

Technically, they were still considered a playoff contender during the '78 preseason, but Jones' injury set them into a terminal tailspin.

[74_75_78_79_]

Vermeil's Eagles?

Opening Day OT-loss at home to Washington in '82. Very good back-and-forth lead-exchanging game for those who remember. For Wash it signaled their 'arrival'/SB-win-to-be. For Philly it signaled a frustrating season full of very close losses that'd serve as the exclamation point to Vermeil's burnout hence retirement following the season. The Birds were a mere points away from an 8-1 finish!

Two losses in '81 that can serve as the 'set up' for the game just mentioned. First one was the 11/1 Dallas at Philly affair (change-of-guard 'Montana/Bradshaw' being the earlier game). Bad enough for Birds that Dallas barely got past Dolphins the week before. It would have had Eagles up on them by two (7-1 to 5-3) going into this game that they almost did win. But they didn't; both tied at 7-2 now. Though denying it to myself at the time, even as a kid I had a bad feeling for Philly from there. Even two weeks later beating lowly Colts to go 9-2, regaining 'best-record-in-league' thanks to Dallas & SF upset-defeats to Lions (12 men) & Browns respectively, I just didn't feel that strongly for them. And that brings us to the 2nd 'set up' game...the very next week's loss at home to 'out-of-nowhere' Giants!

[BD Sullivan]

Vermeil's Eagles?
Opening Day OT-loss at home to Washington in '82. Very good back-and-forth leading-exchanging game for those who remember. For Wash it signaled their 'arrival'/SB-win-to-be. For Philly it signaled a frustrating season full of very close losses that'd serve as the exclamation point to Vermeil's burnout hence retirement following the season. The Birds were a mere points away from an 8-1 finish!

Philly narrowly missed being 0-2 before the strike arrived. They picked up a last-minute win in Cleveland.

[Rupert Patrick]

The 1977 double overtime loss to the Raiders forever ended the Colts' era of respectability in Baltimore.

Technically, they were still considered a playoff contender during the '78 preseason, but Jones' injury set them into a terminal tailspin.

Even if Jones had not been injured, the loss of Lydell Mitchell was going to hurt them dearly going into the 1978 season as they had no adequate replacement for him.

[7DnBrnc53]

For the early-70's Dolphins, the Sea of Hands game ended their era of AFC and AFC East dominance. On the NFL's Greatest Games episode about that game, Jim Mandich said something about how that loss was the end of the special run that they had. They didn't make the playoffs again until 1978 (although they would have won the AFC East in 77 if the official would have given NE that Bert Jones fumble near the end of the Week 14 NE-Bal game).

[CSKreager]

For the early-70's Dolphins, the Sea of Hands game ended their era of AFC and AFC East dominance. On the NFL's Greatest Games episode about that game, Jim Mandich said something about how that loss was the end of the special run that they had. They didn't make the playoffs again until 1978 (although they would have won the AFC East in 77 if the official would have given NE that Bert Jones fumble near the end of the Week 14 NE-Bal game).

The 1975/1977 Dolphins got hurt by the lack of a 2nd WC spot.